Auditor slams Pa. Turnpike for employee passes

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The state auditor general says the Pennsylvania Turnpike should end the practice of letting its employees and vendors drive on the toll road for free when they’re not working.

Auditor General Jack Wagner said Monday he estimates the free-pass policy cost the state at least $7.7 million in lost collections over nearly five years. It’s not clear how much of that is personal travel and how much is work-related.

He calls the practice disturbing and is urging turnpike executives to stop it, or at least improve oversight. Wagner plans to issue a report on the subject later this month.